A DevOps Engineer Is an Architect | Here’s Why

Any ‘DevOps engineer’ can get engaged in countless aspects of the CD/CI pipeline design. So, we can call them architects as well. Such an expert can help the SDLC team create various infrastructures for code deployment/installation.

Architecture Is All About Design

You can’t bring up the topic of construction neglecting to
point out how valuable the purpose of design is. An architect is may not engage
in the constructing phases, but the operational activities depend on their strategy.

That’s also what a DevOps specialist fixes in a team. However,
such a specialist, unlike a planner, would take part in the creation of their
own plan.

So, not only we’re talking about a designer but also a part of the group that can embrace the fieldwork as their duty. It’s very important to notice that a Development & Operations expert will not leave the project after the planning phases are completed.

By contrast, they will lead the squad afterward to make sure
that the artifact is a functioning artifact.

There Are 3 Phases of Diverse Design Processes!

So, if such an engineer is also an architect, what do they design?
Well, they are the jack of all trades in an SDLC crew as they can engage in 3 dissimilar
phases of strategy formation. (See below).

Pipeline

One of the most initial phases of generating a strategy in any
progressive project is about having a functioning pipeline. That’s because every
code sheet will need a reliable environment to get deployed in and used
afterward.

What a Development and Operations expert sorts out is to lend a helping hand with the construction of such a pipeline from the beginning. That means they get involved in the processes from planning up until the delivery of the pipeline(s).

Release and Test Automation

When you deploy your code sheets and get a product, it’d be the time to think about the releasing strategies. That’s another phase of design which includes Development & Operations experts.

So, a DevOps person comes in handy, again, when the company
wants to release the final item.

Moreover, they’ll form programmed tests to help the company
make sure the artifacts are functioning in the clients’ environment. But a
professional engineer won’t stop there. They’d also help the members get to have
the proper automation mindset before even starting the operational processes.

Monitoring and Support

An architect may not come back to check the structure after the project is done. But that’s not what a Development & Operations person would ensure. By Contrast, they monitor every aspect of the artifact even when it’s released and in use.

So, you may employ a Dev & Ops professional, but you’ll end up having a crew member who’s capable of designing, monitoring, and supporting the software.

One a Final Note

Yes, we all agree that a DevOps engineer is an architect as well. But better acknowledge that it’s only one aspect of this job and such experts are definitely much more than that.

Restricting the DevOps engineer role only causes more harm than good in an SDLC progress. So, you’d better off without any precise framework to describe their position in the team.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should let them perform whatever they want. However, it’s wise to provide them with a wider space where they can utilize their DevOps skills in various ways.

He’s the author and founder at Coding as Creating who’s also a DevOps engineer at a Fin-Tech company. Alireza loves sharing his knowledge and experiences with others as he believes it equals earning. With his 20+ years of real-world software development experience, we believe that Alireza, our go-to, can make a huge impact on the industry!

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About Alireza Chegini

He’s the author and founder at Coding as Creating who’s also a DevOps engineer at a Fin-Tech company. Alireza loves sharing his knowledge and experiences with others as he believes it equals earning. With his 20+ years of real-world software development experience, we believe that Alireza, our go-to, can make a huge impact on the industry!